New TSA rules for carry-on items – Here is what you need to know

When traveling in the US and several airports around the world, we have become accustomed to taking off our shoes, removing belts and placing laptops in a separate bin. All part of the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) rules.

These rules are about to get even stricter for carry-on items. ALL electronics larger than a cell phone will need to be placed in their own bins for X-ray screening much like laptops. This means electronics such as tablets, gaming consoles, and even cameras will now need to be removed too.

ALL electronics larger than a cell phone will need to be placed in their own bins for X-ray screening just like laptops. This means that electronics such as tablets, gaming consoles, and even cameras will now need to be removed too.

The new screening procedures in standard lanes are already in place at the following 10 U.S. airports with plans to expand to all airports during the weeks and months ahead:

Boise Airport (BOI)

Colorado Springs Airport (COS)

Detroit Metropolitan Airport (DTW)

Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport (FLL)

Logan International Airport (BOS)

Los Angeles International Airport (LAX)

Lubbock Preston Smith International Airport (LBB)

Luis Muñoz Marín International Airport (SJU)

McCarran International Airport (LAS)

Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport (PHX)

How can you get through the TSA security checks even faster?

The simplest way to make the screening process even faster is to pack your carry-on items in a way that allows you to quickly remove the electronics. I use a laptop-foam-sleeve and into that I place my tablet and gaming console so I just pull that out and place the items in the bin. I guess I will need to place my camera next to the same sleeve from now on.

If you travel frequently, it is worthwhile enrolling with the TSA Pre✓® This is a system where the TSA runs background checks on you and they consider you a “low-risk traveler”. Once you are TSA Pre approved, you can use the TSA Pre✓® lanes at 200 airports in the USA and you do not need to remove shoes, liquids, laptops, electronics, light outerwear, or belts.